If you are going to take on an affordable classic project, this is the kind of find you want to buy! The body is solid, the paint looks decent with nothing more than wash, it’s mechanically sound and it has original California black plates. That isn’t to say there isn’t work to be done but things, like redoing the interior and replacing old rubber, are fairly simple projects that won’t break the bank! So, if you’d love to make this Buick Special your next daily driver, you can find it in Solvang, California with a $4,800 asking price and you can contact Steve with any questions or to buy it, via the form below.
From Steve – This was not so much a barn find as an underground parking lot find in Santa Monica. The car was sitting since 1990 inside. It’s a 1961 Buick Special and the top is original paint but the sides have been repainted. The car still has it’s original black California plates! The body is super straight and rust-free. The interior is fantastic except the seat bottoms but it comes with enough material to cover them. Truly a great little car that goes like a rocket! The tires are good, as it’s been sensibly recommissioned. It has already had the gas tank cleaned out, a new electric fuel pump installed and the carb has been sorted. The brakes stop great and she steers fine. She really is a great useable car, but I’m selling it as a work in progress.
As you can see, the interior needs some work, but as Steve points out, the worst of the issues are the seat bottoms. We would probably just try to find a complete upholstery kit, as it would really clean the interior up. I’m sure some of you will say that it has too many doors, but you really don’t see too many 4-door classics on the road anymore and ones like this are too nice to part out. Plus, think how much fun it would be to pick up a few friends in it to hit up local car shows!
Under the hood is Buick’s 215 cui aluminum V8. While not a powerhouse of a V8, these are good little engines. The design actually went on to be used in a large number of British vehicles, which is probably fitting considering these had a tendency to leak oil. Other than that, they are fairly bulletproof.
While it needs a few things, this looks like a great find. Chances are it has seen some restoration work in its past, but it’s held up well and for this kind of money you can’t go wrong. Recover the seats, finish sorting any issues and you’ll have an interesting classic that is ready to be enjoyed!
- Asking Price: $4,800
- Location: Solvang, California
- Mileage: 96,542
- Title Status: Clean
- VIN: 1H2505187
List your car here on Barn Finds for only $50!
Nice find. It cleaned up quite well and the $4800 asking price won’t break the bank for the next owner who wants in on the collector car hobby.
Besides the obvious upholstery needs, a set of `61-period correct whitewalls would help the appearance of this little Special. Otherwise the car is fairly straight-forward and looks pretty solid. A drivable classic for sure.
What a neat little car, unfortunately on the Wrong Coast…
If it were on your coast, it would have rusted to death
My big brother had this same car. When I got my license it was the first car I drove solo. Straight to Whataburger for a double double. Fifty one years ago. Good times.
A 62 Buick Skylark was my ride in High School and College until I popped for a Firebird 400. The 215 CI V8 put out 195 HP and was no slouch. Easy to work on. Nice buy for someone.
Very nice find and clean and right stuff already done.
That’s about the best well preserved 62 in unmolested condition that I have ever seen for the miles it actually has on it. Look at the original carpets and almost pristine engine compartment given the miles.
Whomever owned the car most assuredly cared about keeping it clean over time given the current condition which was achieved by mere washing instead of paint touch-ups & parts replacement.
Nice find for sure.
Bob
Seems like a very nice car for the money. Go over the car’s mechanicals and re-cover the seats, then enjoy the ride. I like 1960s four doors when they are kept stock and not when someone tries to turn it into a muscle car. I’m sure there are very few four doors left compared to two doors. Someone will probably snap this one up soon.
I disagree with the “bulletproof engine” statement. Any of these engines that haven’t ran recently, (such as this one in many years storage), has an oil pump that looses it’s prime, and the pump has to be disassembled and packed with petroleum jelly in order to function. The owner of this car had to do that as well.
This car is really awesome and worth every penny of the asking price in my opinion. Also, looking at the undercarriage photos, I could swear I was looking at a Volvo 122…nearly identical in layout and construction. Uncanny the resemblance.
This is a shockingly nice little Buick and I’m surprised no one hasn’t commented on it also being a manual tranny car! I like the color combo very much and the only real expense may be to have the bench upholstered. Someone is going to get a really sweet unusual 60s cruiser here at a decent price…
When I got my license in 1975 I had a 1966 vw bug that I was working on and a white 1961 buick special that I purchased from my grandmother for $300. It had 25000 miles on it. Unfortunately I got hit by a Suburu while sitting to turn left….they were looking directly into the sun and they hit me left front fender to left front fender. Their car was 3 months old. Their car was totaled….I used the jack to move the fender off the left front tire and drove it home. Body guy wanted $400 to fix the fender and so I sold him the car for $500 rather than spend the money after getting my repair check.
I was young…and should have just fixed it It did run well but I would not say it ran like a rocket. But I wish I still had it. How many of us have said that!
I would love this if it was in Fla. I would but it right up and ride it full time. Probably has no A/C though. Just window a/c
The three-speed stick shift is very rare in one of those cars.
I’d buy it in a second if it was on the east coast.